NEW YORK – Villanova forward Meghan Mitchell has been unanimously selected as the preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year, the conference announced Tuesday (Aug. 27) in its field hockey preseason poll and awards. Additionally, Mitchell and fifth year back Sabine de Ruijter were both named to the preseason All-BIG EAST team for the second consecutive season, while the Wildcats placed fifth in the preseason coaches' poll.
 
In 2023, Mitchell earned just the second postseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year honor in program history. She scored 16 goals and 38 points, averaging 0.89 goals per game, the eighth-highest season scoring average in program history.
 
Her and de Ruijter have each been named BIG EAST All-Conference in four consecutive seasons, with Mitchell earning two first-team and two second-team selections while de Ruijter earned four second-team honors.  
 
Mitchell has climbed to the top of the record books during her four-year career on the Main Line. The Villanova native is tied for sixth in career goals (44) and ranks fifth in career points (108) while holding the fifth-highest career scoring average with 0.66 goals per game.
 
Mitchell will look to make history as the Wildcats begin the 2024 season on Friday (Aug. 30) at James Madison, before opening the home schedule on Sunday (Sept. 1) against Sacred Heart at noon from the Conshohocken Proving Grounds.
 
Preseason BIG EAST Field Hockey Poll and Awards:
 
BIG EAST Preseason Field Hockey Coaches' Poll
(first-place votes)
1. Liberty (4)                              46
2. Old Dominion (2)                   43
3. UConn (2)                             33
3. Temple                                  33
5. Villanova                              26
6. Providence                          22
7. Quinnipiac                          14
8. Georgetown                         7
 
Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year
Meghan Mitchell, Gr., F, Villanova *
 
Preseason BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year
Reagan Underwood, Gr., M, Liberty
 
Preseason BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
Alizé Maes, Sr., B, Temple
 
Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year
Suus Broers, So., GK, Old Dominion
 
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team ^
Sol Simone, Jr., M, UConn *
Reagan Underwood, Gr., M, Liberty *
Suus Broers, So., GK, Old Dominion
Kerry McCormick, So., B, Old Dominion
Frederique Zandbergen, Jr., M, Old Dominion
Florencia Talarico, So., M, Providence
Lucia Pompeo, Sr., F, Quinnipiac
Alizé Maes, Sr., B, Temple
Tess Muller, Sr., F, Temple *
Sabine de Ruijter, Gr., B, Villanova
Meghan Mitchell, Gr., F, Villanova *

*unanimous selection